Tag: conference
ABCey’s Top 5 Event Apps Every Event Planner Needs
People assume that event planners have a simple job. Getting paid to make plans? Sounds so easy! But the reality is that event planning is extremely hard work. If you’ve ever planned an event, you know how much time and effort goes into it. Luckily, there are apps that has made it easier to plan and manage events, no matter how large! Today, we bring you our top five apps that every event planner needs to ease the process.
Boomset
For much larger events, Boomset is an amazing application for managing guest check-in. This app is the perfect tool for checking in registered conference guests. With fast check-ins and a walk-in registration feature for attendees who have not pre-registered, lines will definitely be reduced. You can even print customized badges or wristbands for your event by using the Boomset web platform.
Bizzabo
Bizzabo is a bunch of event planning tools all wrapped in one. Targeted towards medium-to-large-sized businesses, Bizzabo is ideal for planning large events with a lot of tasks. The application allows you to build event websites for registration, emails for marketing, and agendas for event management, great for concerts or fundraisers!
24me
For planning smaller events, 24me is the best handy little personal assistant to help you stay on task with planning. The app includes integrated calendars, to-do lists, and notes. It automates events by keeping your tasks and schedules in one place and by sending you reminders for them when necessary.
HeyTell
Communication with your team is key for running your event smoothly, so being in touch at all times is necessary. HeyTell is an app that turns your smartphone into a walkie-talkie. When you need something even snappier than texting or email, get the app, choose a contact and start talking. This makes it easier to communicate and avoid any confusion during your event!
SuperPlanner
Nothing is worse than an overcrowded venue, exceeding a budget due to over staffing or any other problems you might face while planning your event. Super Planner offers calculators for venue capacity, staffing, and catering to avoid these kinds of issues. Use this app to stay on budget and execute all the details to perfection.
What are your favorite event planning apps? Are there any we missed? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter!
If you’re interested in learning more about events we’ve done for other San Francisco startups or other Fortune 500 companies, click here.
ABCey Presents: Creating Equilibrium
ABCey is excited to announce that we’ll be co-producing Creating Equilibrium, an exclusive, invite only three-day innovation forum! The goal? Foster radical new approaches to solving critical environmental issues! The event will include a forum with tons of inspirational leaders, concerts, and an immersive festival to bring awareness and help unearth real-world solutions!
Creating Equilibrium’s innovation forum is the ultimate way to stay informed and get involved in making a positive difference in the environment! 🌎♻️
Creating Equilibrium: The Visions Conference
Be a part of this revolutionary Visions Conference! This solution-focused conference will allow you to ask questions and learn from industry experts. You will also have the opportunity share your own ideas about how to increase sustainability and solve serious environmental problems! On Sunday, there will be a surprise “Hot Tub Time Machine” pool party w/ a very special celebrity guest among other fun surprises and water trivia.
Creating Equilibrium is an incubator for new and progressive ideas regarding the environment! If you’re a part of a start up company with a concern for the environment, this is the perfect event for you! Apply now and be a part of this extraordinary experience!
The Village Green Festival
Enjoy fun entertainment and food as well as the beautiful scenery of Lake Tahoe during the Village Green Festival! Thisinnovative event is one that you don’t want to miss!
The All Day Concert
Creating Equilibrium’s concert will be featuring top performers like Dispatch, Allen Stone and so many others including their “secret stash.” You can have fun and feel good about doing it too! 🎤🎶🎵
Lake Tahoe is an incredible destination that is the perfect location to host this event! The natural beauty of the landscape with the crystal clear lake and the backdrop of enormous snowcapped mountains will make just about anyone want to save the environment! 🌞🌲🏔🏖
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to play your role in solving crucial environmental issues! Apply to get your Tickets now!
Will you be attending the Creating Equilibrium event? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
ABCey’s Top 10 Trends in Projection Mapping & Lighting
New trends in projection mapping & lighting make events immersive and interactive for any sized audience! From lasers, to 3D projection mapping, to motorized lights, these trends will blow your mind and create a memorable event that your guests will never forget!
1. Motorized Lighting Structures
No matter how big your event is, Motorized lights are a great way to involve your whole audience and make them feel closer to the center of the event! These funky and fun lights will bring your event to the next level!
2. Lasers
Lasers will enhance any event! They have the ability to sync with your music, be programmed to draw shapes, project basic images on surfaces, and extend across your entire audience! Who wouldn’t want lasers at their event?
3. LED Beam/Spots
Whether it is a corporate event or a night out with friends, LED beam/spot lights make the experience colorful and fun! LED Beams/Spots are immersive lights that are placed on a beam and then programmed with colors, positions, cues, and patterned motions. These dynamic lights bring the room to life!
4. 3D Projection Mapping
3D projection maps are a must have at every event! The projection maps light onto 3D objects to bring them to life as engaging displays. These extraordinary displays make a great fit for reveals, brand launches, all kinds of presentations, concerts, entertainment events and corporate events! Not to mention, they’re fun and cool to look at!
5. Sports Arena Projection Mapping & Lighting
Make any sports game more interactive and fun by adding projection lighting! Use these lights to entice more people to buy tickets and boost sales! Projection lighting can be used after a goal is scored, an exciting half-time show and so much more!
6. Hologram Videos
Spinifex Group created an awesome hologram videohfor Buick Shanghai Auto Show! Hologram videos are a great feature for all kinds of events!
7. Interactive Projection Mapping
Interactive projection mapping is the perfect addition to any event! This new technology is the best way to get guest’s feedback as well as engage with your audience!
8. GostMESH
TDC presents the newest updates in projection fabrics: GostMesh! This incredible new technology combined with projection allows for a one of a kind experience. GostMESH creates bright moving images that are sure to make your event venue pop!
9. Architectural Video Mapping
Make your next event an experience your guests will never forget! Architectural video mapping will make your event an out of this world experience by transforming the event venue into absolutely anything you want!
10. Neon Black Lights
Neon UV Black lights makes any event venue extraordinary! Turn your bland ordinary event space into a funky glow in the dark black light party!
How would you use this new and exciting technology to improve your event? What’re your favorite trends in projection mapping & lighting? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter?
How to Boost Event Engagement!
Whether organizing a conference, meeting, or event, planners are utilizing new techniques bolstered by the latest technology in order to ensure attendees get the most out of an event. With an increasing focus on achieving event ROI and success, it is becoming more and more important to improve event engagement by involving attendees throughout the experience: before, during and after! These features include apps, seating, visuals and much more!
Here are ABCey’s Top 10 ways to boost participation at your next event!
1.Event Engagement with Mobile Apps
Mobile apps such as Whova, Event Friendly and Event Board aim to transform audience networking and event engagement. These platforms include key features such as the accessibility of communication amongst each other, the ability for guests to plan networking in advance and also receive real time updates. There is also the ability to receive feedback during and after the event!
2. Mixed Seating
We all know theatre style is making it’s way out, and mixed seating IN! Mixed and informal seating at your event is important so that the audience is comfortable, and creates more space for lounging, networking, and engaging. We love this stage and seating design from Girl Boss!
3. Bioreactive Wristbands
There are a variety of new devices to engage the stage with the audience! Bioreactive wristbands were recently used at a Google-sponsored music event that displayed levels of emotion, movement and energy! These levels were presented on a real time board for the audience to see. Developments in new tech continue to change the event industry as it becomes more integrated into our daily lives!
4. Catchbox
Catchbox gives the audience the capability to speak and participate at an event or conference, making it fun and different! No more walking across the room to pass the mic! Attendees have a chance to engage with each other with the use of this throwable microphone. Make sure to keep your eye on the box so you don’t get hit in the head!
5. Virtual Reality
Not all event engagement needs to include speaking! Having new technology at events provides participation with the use of virtual reality headsets. VR can range from the audience playing a game to showcasing a new product, and is even used to scout event spaces! This interactive technology allows the audience to have some fun!
6. Live Visual Thinking
ABCey recently used One Squiggly Line at the UpStart 10x Event! Visual note taking provides the audience a way to engage, brainstorm and share ideas with each other at events.
7. Social Media Influencers
One influential person can change the perspective of an event compared to many average social media users! The attendees who are more powerful on social media can be tracked prior to an event through monitoring. This allows them to engage with their followers and have a discussion.
8. Eye Catching Sets and Backdrops
It is important to have a design or event that is eye catching to the audience! Projection mapping can also help display content to really drive a brand’s message across. This will spark the interest of the attendees and set the tone for engagement and discussion.
9. Special Perks
Give attendees a gift to show your appreciation, and you don’t have to spend a ton! At our recent Upstart 10x Event, we created a cute low budget gift which included Dill Seeds from Urban Adamah (an event sponsor), tied with a custom flip book of all of the organizations members, and info on the company. This gave attendees a little something to discuss and take home!
10. Networking After Party
Well this one’s a given! Who doesn’t need a cocktail after a long day of sessions? DO provide a chance for attendees to continue the conversation, relax, and enjoy themselves. This also gives the guests the ability to talk about what they learned, as well as a way to meet and network with new people!
As attendees go to events to learn, network, and engage they also want an unforgettable experience! Event engagement allows the audience to have a unique involvement with the event. What are your favorite ways to stay tuned in at an event? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!
Behind the Scenes: UpStart 10x Event
On Wednesday, May 10th, 2017 nearly 250 people turned out to the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco to honor UpStart Founder Toby Rubin for the UpStart 10x Event, and celebrate the future of Jewish innovation! ABCey Events had the honor of producing this exciting evening filled with live art, important discussions, yummy food, interesting people, projection mapping, amazing music, and much more! Here’s our Top 10 countdown of all of the amazing things that contributed to this successful San Francisco event!
1. The Question of the Night: How Will We Build The Jewish Community We Want To See In 2027?
2. Live Artwork/ Visual Thinking by Melinda Walker of One Squiggly line, asking the question of the night!
3. The gifts for attendees, An UpStart flipbook & seeds generously donated by Urban Adamah.
4. UpStart Founder and Honoree Toby Rubin takes the stage and gives a heartfelt speech!
5. UpStarter talking about his experience and tossing around a Catchbox microphone!
6. Illuminated bars by Blueprint Studios honoring the evenings sponsors.
7. Projection Mapping with the company’s vision, timeline, goals, history, and more! Artwork created by Melinda Walker of One Squiggly Line, and animated and projections from Immersive Pro.
8. Music and Beats provided by DJ Chris Clouse and Sax Player from M83.
9. Yummy Desserts by Tout Sweet, Choux Bakery, and 49 Square Catering.
10. Photobooth by The Bosco and our fabulous custom props!
On behalf of ABCey Events, we’d like to extend a huge thank you to Jaime Rappaport Barry, Aaron Katler, and the whole UpStart Team for working so hard along side us to make this event a successful one! What was your favorite part of UpStart 10x? Leave us a comment here or find us on Facebook or Twitter!
7 Tech Gadgets for Event Professionals
Welcome to the digital age! Yes, robots taking over can be scary, but technology can also be used for good. With so many gizmos and tools on the market, we want to keep you in with some of the top must-haves for event tech. ABCey Events has compiled a list of 7 great tech gadgets and apps for all event professionals to help make your job just a little bit easier!
7 Tech Gadgets and Apps for Events
1. Measuring Tools: Camera measuring app
Whether you want to know the measurements at a site visit, or see if the venue will fit a certain event prop, knowing exactly how much room you have is important. Instead of struggling with a regular measuring tape, turn your iPhone into a measuring tool with the EasyMeasure app! This app uses your camera to measure your distance from an object and dimensions of an image. Simply point your camera, click, and get very accurate measurements!
2. HD Livestream Broadcaster
It sucks when guests can’t make it your event, but they can still be part of the event action with livestream broadcasting! Event tech gadgets, like Livestream’s Broadcaster Pro, allow you to broadcast your event live in HD! You can easily attach this to any HDMI camera or your smartphone’s Livestream app. Then, click play and you’ll be recording live! Help guests who couldn’t make it, get your event noticed, and let people see how tech savvy you are!
3. Lightwave: Biometric sensor-equipped wristbands
Did you ever want to know how your guests are feeling? Now you can with Lightwave wristbands! These sensor wristbands pick up on a person’s body temperature, movement, and other biometric data. You can then use this data to adjust your event in real time. Change everything from the lighting brightness to music tempo and mic volume to create the perfect balance!
4. Digital Portable Scanner
If you’re an event professional on the go, it’s hard to keep track of documents, floor plans, proposals, and more! And, now that we live in the digital age, having hard copies of papers is almost pointless. To help fix this problem, try a digital portable scanner! With this magic wand, you can take physical copies of important docs and scan them to make digital copies. This way you won’t ever lose a contract, bank statement, or receipt ever again!
5. Crowd Mic App
It’s great to hear from your audience, but walking around to each person in a crowd with a microphone can be a hassle. Crowd Mic’s app lets any event guest’s smartphone become a microphone. Tap to request to speak, and the presenter can accept it, mute you, and let everyone speak with the open mic mode. Also, this app lets you have live polls and text, so you can directly connect with your attendees. Don’t make your staff run around and engage your guests with this fun event tech!
6. Google Chrome Work Devices
Make your virtual meetings a breeze with Google Chrome Devices! Google has devices and packages that can include everything from speakers, a remote control, a mechanical pan and tilt HD camera, tech support, and the physical Chromebox system/core processor. In addition, the box is equipped with Google app software which makes it easy to share docs, spreadsheets, Google invitations and more! Next time you have a virtual conference call, use this event gadget to help your video conference run smoothly!
7. Portable Projector
As an event prof, you have to be prepared for the worst, like your projector breaking down! Instead of having a massive projector, get a small portable projector. These are great for both meeting presentations and displaying videos or images at your parties! For a great all purpose projector, check out the Epson PowerLite Multimedia Projector. Not only does it project high quality data, videos, and photos, but it also connects directly and wirelessly to phones, computers, tablets, and USB memory drives. Give attendees a great presentation with a remote or a mouse control, and easily carry this 3.7 pound projector in your bag!
Do you plan on using any of these event gadgets for your events? Let us know in the comments below and on Facebook or Twitter!
#TechTuesday: 3 ways to use Intel RealSense at your next event!
#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. ABCey would like to recognize these up and coming technologies for their innovative ideas and impact on the event world! This Tuesday we have 3 ways to use Intel RealSense technology at your next event!
Intel is very well-known for their many unique and creative products. However, at ABCey, one line stands out the most for us: Intel RealSense. Intel RealSense includes cameras, platforms, and systems that are unbelievable and are must have tools for your events!
Moreover, these amazing products have 3D scanning, speech recognition, facial analysis, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), depth photo and video, and scene perception capabilities. These capabilities make Intel RealSense products cutting edge technology and make experiences more interactive and well, real! So here are 3 ways to use Intel RealSense at your next event!
1. Intel RealSense 3D Scanning
One special feature of RealSense technology is its 3D scanning capabilities. You can pretty much scan anything, and now, you have a replicated detailed 3D model on your computer. In addition, you can easily share it on social media and print it out on a 3D printer! Because this tech is perfect for showcasing and displaying anything at your events, this is an event tool you’ll definitely want to get! You’ll truly impress your attendees with one of a kind views of your 3D models. From a physical robot to yourself, almost anything can be turned into a 3D image!
Additionally, Intel’s scanning technology is creative because it incorporates gesture tech. By just moving your hands, you can spin and zoom in on these 3D images to show your attendees every angle. Let your guests experience this technology first hand and leave them amazed!
2. 3D: Scene Perception and video entertainment
For events, it’s important to know every detail about the venue, and RealSense technology gives you just that…an extremely useful layout of any site! Specifically, Intel’s Scene Perception gives you a digital representation of the scene/place you are recording, including the objects in it! As a result, you have immersive 3D images to help you plan or select the perfect venue like never before! In addition, this system lets you measure items from your scene perception, making it the perfect tool for event planners!
It can be difficult to decide how to decorate your venue when you can’t picture it. However, with RealSenses, you can experiment with different layouts and see how they look visually! For example, Capgemini used this tech to adjust furniture in the video below:
You can use this same technique for your events! First, adjust the software to show a virtual image of your venue. Then, use props (like the wooden blocks above) to represent event items (ex: sculptures, photos booths, large displays, etc). Lastly, just move these props around! There you have it! You can see on a screen what the venue would look like! And you didn’t have to lift a thing!
Another idea is to make yourself 3D! With Intel’s motion capture technology, you facial movements are replicated onto a fun 3D figure. Attendees will love getting to use this tech, and will be impressed with this top of the line entertainment!
3. Interactive Background Displays
Whether you’re hosting a virtual meeting or presenting at a conference, you want your background image to be the best fit for your event. Here is where RealSense comes in handy! Instead of spending time to edit or replace your background, you can simply replace it in real-time with any video or photo of your choosing-the perfect addition to make your next event top of the line!
Also, background replacement uses gesture technology. So simply flick your hands and the background will change! It’s that easy! Try out Intel’s RealSense at your next event!
How would you use Intel RealSense Technology? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook and on Twitter!
How to Collect Data and Generate Leads at Events
If you have the right perspective, almost any event you attend could turn into a networking opportunity. However, it’s not enough to just be professional and poised. You also need to skillfully collect important details from the people you meet, and employ lead generation strategies.
Here’s how you can collect data and generate leads – whether you go to a local Bay Area event or one on another continent.
Create Genuine Connections With People
Giving a stranger a broad, inviting smile is a good first step, but you need to do more to make meaningful contact. Start by asking a person why he or she chose to attend this event.
That simple question can act as the gateway to a much longer and information-packed conversation that tells you things such as where the person is from, what his or her interests are and whether the services you provide may fill an existing need the individual has. Creating meaningful connections at conferences often requires stepping out of your comfort zone. Usually that’ll entail interacting with venue managers and fellow vendors, not just people who are most likely to become your next customers.
Only Request the Most Relevant Data
Filing out a contact form usually isn’t the most exciting activity, but you can make the task more pleasant for the people you meet by only asking questions related to your line of work. For example, if you run an event-planning company, you’d probably want to know someone’s address and the average size of the gatherings he or she typically hosts. However, asking for a date of birth, gender or household income information may be seen as intrusive, and could make individuals unwilling to complete the contact form.
Come to the Event Well Prepared
It’s hard to make people feel enthused about the products and services you offer if you’re not able to clearly articulate why those things are worthwhile. If you’re at a conference, realize there may be dozens of other merchants selling things that are very similar to your offerings. In that case, how do you stand out and generate leads? By presenting yourself as able to best meet a potential client’s needs.
That means doing more than perfecting your sales pitch, although that is important. Spend time thinking about the types of people who will most likely be attending this event and decide how what you’re selling could be positioned as helpful and necessary. Also, if you’ll be bringing representatives to the event who are new and not as adept at selling your products, make sure those team members are paired up with seasoned salespeople.
Offer at Least One Quick Data Collection Method
In the best-case scenario, you’d only meet people who are ready to give you their full attention and wouldn’t mind spending several minutes providing details about themselves. However, that expectation is far from realistic. The individuals who cross your path may be very interested in what you could give them, but still only have a minute of spare time before they have to dash off to panel discussions, meetings and lunch dates.
With that in mind, try to have at least one way to collect data in seconds. Perhaps you could ask for an email address, or request that a person send a text message to a certain number and then receive a link that allows them to sign up on a mailing list. There are even some apps that allow you to scan a person’s business card and quickly import the details. Remember, the fact that people have other places to be doesn’t necessarily mean they are not interested in learning more about you. However, if you don’t cater to their time-sensitive lifestyles, you might miss out on valuable leads.
Give Free Items or Hold Contests
Some people need a little encouragement before giving private details to individuals they don’t know. That gentle prodding could come in the form of a contest that gives the winner an enviable prize.
Ideally, the giveaway should relate to your business. If you specialize in planning events, the prize could be a $500 gift certificate for your services. You could also give a smaller prize such as a dinner at a notable Bay Area restaurant, plus the pleasure of your company. That dinner meeting could offer the perfect chance to explain more about your services or products and make someone want to buy them.
On the other hand, you may want to give freebies that urge people to get acquainted with what it’s like to be a client. If you run a marketing firm that charges $30 for one-hour consultations, consider giving them for free to event attendees who agree to provide contact details. When creating the contest forms, be sure to call attention to the fact that the consultations are a $30 value.
Hopefully these strategies will make you feel ready to thrive at your next event, whether it’s in the Bay Area or beyond. The key to making the most of your interactions at these gatherings lies in preparation, and the tips above should equip you to make great impressions.
Do you have top tips to share? Let us know in the comments below or find us on Facebook and Twitter!
#TechTuesday: Teleport App
#TechTuesday highlights the best and brightest ideas in the tech world. ABCey would like to recognize these up and coming technologies for their innovative ideas and impact on the event world!
When configuring all the details while planning your next event, sometimes the “transportation” tab gets shuffled unintentionally to the wait-until-the-last-minute detail to arrange. However, if your event has VIP guests such as keynote speakers or sponsors, transportation becomes even more crucial to arrange asap. With the Teleport app, event planner and organizers now have a very simple and convenient way to chauffeur their VIP guests to and fro any event.
Teleport, in partnership with Uber, uses the ridesharing app to send an Uber ride to pick up guests and bring them to a location of your choice.
How it works:
You, the sender, will send a teleport request link to the person/guest of your choice. Once the receiver accepts the request, they will be directed to the web app where they will drop a pin to set their pickup location. They will then be able to see the ETA, a map to the final destination and all the driver’s information (name, phone number and license plate number). The receiver doesn’t need to have the Teleport app, Uber app, nor do they need to even have an iPhone.
Just like with Uber, the ride is paid for by the sender, so the receiver doesn’t have to worry about payments when the car arrives. You can even choose which type of car to send, like an UberBLACK for those VIP guests.
And just like that, your VIP guests’ transportation needs are taken care of; easy and hassle-free.
Why we love it:
Teleport streamlines communication. Unlike with the traditional Uber app, the sender no longer has to be the middle-man, communicating the details back and forth between the receiver and driver. Now you can make sure that your guests get to where they need to be, making it one less thing you have to worry about on the day of your event.
Plan to use the Teleport app for your next event? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter!